By
Florida Panthers vs Chicago Blackhawks
It was a split series for the Florida Panthers against the Winnipeg Jets at home in South Florida taking the victory and then falling on the road in Canada. This leaves the Panthers with a huge matchup on the road against the Chicago Blackhawks who have struggled starting out this season. The Panthers seemed to have found their stride but have fallen off that course recently resulting in them being knocked off the top spot in the Eastern Conference. A win over Chicago which to many is a must win and should win would keep up with the first spot in the conference.
The game was relatively scoreless in the first period but the deadlock would break in the United Center with 2:46 left to play. It would be Teravainen putting the Blackhawks on the board assisted by Bertuzzi making it a 1-0 game off of the power play. Niko Mikkola would pick up the penalty for Florida interfering with Craig Smith. Spencer Knight was in between the sticks for Florida replacing Sergei Bobvrosky on the night.
Craig Smith would get his revenge from the interference penalty and it would make way in the second period doubling the lead at the 10 minute mark assisted by Maroon making it 2-0 for the Blackhawks. The cardiac cats are never dead getting right back into the game with Sam Reinhart pulling one back assisted by Ekblad to make the game 2-1. There was no penalties this time as the second period would close with Chicago still having the advantage.
The Panthers took a gamble in the third period as they did in the last game against the Jets. They pulled Knight from the net leaving an empty net in hopes of finding an equalizer. Florida would have a power play but were not able to break through Chicago's defense. They would be punished when Foligno found the back of the net stretching the lead for the Blackhawks. The Chicago Blackhawks would go ahead and defeat the Panthers 3-1.
Up next for the Florida Panthers is a home game welcoming the Colorado Avalanche to Amerant Bank Arena.
Written by: Daniel Torres
Post a Comment